[ParkerKnepp]

Hi!
I'm 20 years old currently attending MSU in east lansing. My major is horticulture and I plan to buy some property to start a farm/homestead. I'm wondering if I might need to relocate to another state or stay in michigan. I'm looking for:

1. More Sunlight.
-I plan on growing exotics in greenhouses that would benefit from more sunlight, especially in the winter.

2. Slightly Warmer Temperatures
-If I could find a place that was 5 to 10 degrees warmer, it would be perfect. I can't go too warm because it's much more expensive to cool a greenhouse than to heat it.

3.Close to a sizable market/City
-I would like to be no more than 30 minutes from a metro area of at least 100,000.

I like Grand Rapids, but the sunlight issue will make it hard for me to succeed in what I want to do. Detroit is a bit better, but I would prefer to be a little bit warmer.

I've looked at Eastern Pennsylvania/Maryland/Virginia as possible contenders, but I'm not sure what those areas are like. Property seems much more expensive over there too.

The Northwest seems nice, I just don't know how the soils/water are over there. Is there a lot of farming in that area?

[Meemur]

I would start researching what jobs you can realistically get in horticulture with exotics. The people I know who've made some serious money from your department went into turf grass and work for golf courses in NC and SC, especially the Myrtle Beach area.

I definitely support leaving the area. I tripled my income when I first moved south to Columbus, Ohio. The economy was that much better back in the 1990s. That's not as true now. The Lansing area is much better for FIRE people (Finance, insurance, real estate).

Anyway, talk more with your advisor and do more research about where the jobs are. It seems like Disneyworld (FL) was recruiting heavily at MSU at one time, for hort majors -- they've got a ton of greenery to maintain. They said MSU grads could hit the ground running and required little "tutoring."

Added: you need a good job before you do the homesteading thing. I lived off-the-grid up in Bath (north of Lansing) for awhile. It stunk. Get the job first and then see what sort of energy you have for a small homestead. I recommend NC/SC for that.

[unclejake21]

Are you worried about daylight hours or cloudy skies?

If its hours, then it will be the same across the northern section of the country due to the curvature of the earth, long days during the summer and short days during the winter.
If its cloudy skies, then avoid the pacific northwest, it is more cloudy there than here in Michigan.

[Coldjensens]

Denver

[Vegabern]

Denver
Boise
Salt Lake City
Flagstaff

[fluffydelusions]

Originally Posted by ParkerKnepp

Hi!
1. More Sunlight.
-I plan on growing exotics in greenhouses that would benefit from more sunlight, especially in the winter.

The Northwest seems nice, I just don't know how the soils/water are over there. Is there a lot of farming in that area?

In regards to the northwest, there is a lot of farms here BUT you will NOT get more sunlight...especially not in winter. The only time of year we get any substantial amount of sun is in summer for ~3 months...maybe. Look here...3 sunny days between October - March is all we got in 2016 to give you an idea. Sun is a rare sight here during winter months...if the sun comes out in winter you'll know it cause everyone will be talking about it lol.

https://komonews.com/weather/scotts-...art-of-october

[Heather67]

Denver
Boise
Salt Lake City
Flagstaff

While they'd be much better for increased sunlight, in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah you may run into water issues. It might be work making sure what the tradeoffs would be if/when you relocate.